From language to literature: The fictionalization of the book in Patrick Chamoiseau's novels.

This article analyzes the representation of the printed book in the novels of Martinican writer Patrick Chamoiseau to explore the complex relationship between oral and written language, particularly Creole and French, in Caribbean literature. It argues that Chamoiseau's work creates a unique "linguistic mythology" through fictionalized books, positioning literature as a tool for renewing linguistic codes beyond political debates about language legitimacy. The study highlights how Chamoiseau's characters embody tensions between Creole oral traditions and the French language, often symbolized by the dictionary, reflecting broader postcolonial struggles over identity and cultural authority. Furthermore, the article situates Chamoiseau's aesthetic approach within a dialogue with French Renaissance writers, emphasizing his personal literary style as a contribution to francophone literature and the establishment of a Caribbean literary diction.